Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1887-07-15
coats and red trousers, as they filed
of into captivity, closely guarded by
the Prussian senIinels

disbanded and sent home to their
villages. Volnizki set out with his
bag at his side. stick in his hand,
and followed by his dog. He left the
high road and took a short cut across
the country. For two days he trav-
eled through an unduIating region, III.
terested by pretty streams and fertile
hills: the lark sang merrily above,
while the ploughman drove his furrow
through the hardened glebe. On
every side sprouted fair and green the
promise OF germs which had heensown
in the winter season.
The Polak's heart beat high when
he caught sight Of the church spire
which rose above his native place.
Already those he met by the way
greeted him with the usual salutation:
Jesus Christ be praised!" As soon
as he reached the moss.grown cross
just outside his village, he knelt be-
fore it and uttered a short, heartfelt
prayer. He thanked bis Saviour, not
for any victory or any glory, but for
allowing him to get back through all
his trials without loss Of health or
limbs.
He hurried forward and began to
sing for the first time since he had left
his wife and children.
, Not far off could be seen the little
cottage with it's roof Of thatched straw
blackened by the smoke of the CHM
eny, and Its granary, wherein thestork
nestled.
Soon from the other side OF a hedge
ne was greeted by his young wife, and
two young children came running to-
wards him. He took his son up in his
arms and kissed him; he bent over
his daughter and stroked her forehead
with his hand, and then hegazed love
ingiy on mis- young wife.
She merely said: "How good it is
to sec you back here!''
He entered the large room OF his cot
tage, followed by the children and the
dog.
"Who's beast have you got there?"
asked the young woman.
Il brought him back with me from
France" he replied.
".
The dog went about the place with
gaping mouth and inquisitive nose.
He scented everything; the floor,
benches and wall; the large deal table,
the fagots under the stove, the wife 8
sheep-skin, and the linen on the line.
Ha finally stretched himself in the
middle OF the room, put his nozzle be-
tween his fore-legs and sighed deeply,
as il to say: eve have reached home
at last, and l have found another
country which I may look upon as
my own" The children drew near to
play with him. Theyoung wife brought
him something to eat. He listened
attentively to the foreign words that
We're spoken, as if to catch their mean
ing or discover what was required OF
him; but the task being g. futile one,
when q hand sought to touch him he
growled and showed his teeth.
He soon got to be looked Upon as
a headstrong, wicked brute.
"Never mind" said the young wom-
an, "he'll -eep the thieves and prowl-
ers at a distance and prove good
Watchdog"
Volnizki assented to his wife's sug.
gestion.
So g. chain was put around the
dogs neck, who was by no means sur.
prised at the ordeal, for he had been
used to the thing from puppyhood.
Every evening as soon as the stars
came out bright in the sky, the young
housewife let the dog loose in the yard.
Thereupon the faithful beast would
shake himself, sniff the air with ap-
parent pleasure, and commence his
round of inspection.
On one OCCASION, however, the dog
was missed. But he did not 60 far,
since he came back the next day and
was found quietly installed in his ken
mel, as if he had never LETT it.
One sabbath afternoon. after YES
pers, an old man entered the peas
ants courtyard. He was over 80
years OF age. His stiff bearing,
bronzed complexion and manly
aspect at once revealed the military
veteran An open countenance set
off to advantage the spare, silvery
locks; two light blue eyes gave grave
and goodly expression to his face;
while his white moustache grew down
over his moath to his chin He wore
boots that reached to his knees, a.
long overcoat in dark blue cloth, a
white necktie and q gray hat. In his
hand. for show rather than use, he
held a stick with shining knob; on his
breast shone the cross of the Legion
Of Honor strung to an old piece OF
faded red ribbon, which still bore
black stains due to the gunpowder at
Waterloo.
The old soldier was received with
tokens of kindness and reverence; he
was shown into the large room, which
that day offered an unusually solemn
aspect with its washed and sanded
floor. Some flowers in an earthen.
ware pot on the windo w-sill difused
their sweetness over the place, and
the sun shone cheerfully through the
little sparkling g'ass-panes.
The two men sat down before the
large deal table, and when the youne
woman had brought brandy, bread
and salt, cheese and sausage, they be
gan to speak about the war. Volniz
XII recounted the events at Spichern
Saint rivat and Buzenval, while thu
old man spoke Of Lutzen, Dresden
and Leipsic, Ligny and Quatre Bras
Every time France and the Emperor's
name were mentioned the old mar
raised his hat. Meanwhile the chill
dren played in the yard, and-that
the holiday should be q general one
the dog Was let loose from his kennel
Presently the animal appeared or
the threshold, looked up inquisitlvely
at the aged man, drew near and scent
ed him.
What sort Of a dog is thatg' inquir
ed the old soldier; .'he is not iron
these parts.
Il brought him back with me IRON